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Best Market Research Consultants in Los Angeles
Best Market Research Consulting Services in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, market research isn't just a support function, it’s the compass guiding product strategy, brand identity, and user experience in one of the most creatively saturated markets in the world. From Burbank’s entertainment giants to Anaheim’s fast-scaling startups, market research consultants in the LA region play a behind-the-scenes role in shaping everything from brand strategy to public policy.
At Digital Reference, we believe in the power of operators who build systems quietly and insightfully behind the scenes. That’s why we’ve carefully researched, evaluated, and curated this list of market research professionals in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim area.
Some are founders. Others are freelancers. And a few lead research at agencies you’ve probably already heard of. But all of them share one thing: they’re reshaping how insights work in 2026.
Looking to hire a consultant, build a partnership, or benchmark your strategy against the best in LA? These are the names to know.
👉 Want more insight-led strategy tips? Explore our feature on collecting professional references or dive into our guide for founders and operators navigating interim leadership.
🧠 Methodology: How We Built This List of Market Research Consultants in Los Angeles
At Digital Reference, we spotlight professionals whose insight work drives strategic clarity and real decision‑making in the LA market — not just visibility or buzz. For this Los Angeles list, we evaluated each consultant based on:
- The depth and relevance of their market research expertise
- Feedback and reputation from clients, collaborators, or partners
- Presence and thought leadership across relevant platforms and work
- Ability to serve varied industries or lead in specific research niches
- Contributions to the practice of research through insights, rigor, or innovation
Want to build your own credibility? Start with our resource on why professional references matter and how to use them to support your reputation.
🌟 Featured Market Research Professionals
Shawn Nejad
Search Engine Projects | LinkedIn
Shawn Nejad leads Search Engine Projects with a unique approach that blends SEO analytics, behavioral tracking, and competitive intelligence. Serving high-growth companies across Southern California, he translates digital and market data into actionable insights.
Why Shawn stands out:
🔍 Data-Driven Insights: Leverages search behavior to uncover emerging demand trends.
🤝 Cross-Functional Research: Integrates market research with performance marketing data.
🏥 Diverse Clientele: Works with healthcare providers, legal firms, and local businesses across Anaheim and Orange County.
Shawn’s innovative fusion of SEO and market research helps businesses anticipate trends and grow strategically.
Kim Atkins
Atkins Research Global | LinkedIn
Kim Atkins has over 30 years of experience operating one of Los Angeles’ most trusted qualitative research facilities. At Atkins Research Global, she delivers high-quality insights that help agencies and brands make informed decisions in fast-paced markets.
Why Kim stands out:
🎯 Seasoned Operator: Hundreds of successful qualitative research studies led personally.
📝 End-to-End Service: Designs screeners, recruits participants, and moderates studies with precision.
🌆 Urban Expertise: Deep understanding of consumer behavior in metropolitan environments.
Kim’s extensive experience ensures research that is both reliable and actionable in dynamic markets.
Steve Escoe
Steve Escoe oversees Facts ’n Figures, a premier Southern California fieldwork firm. With decades of experience, he delivers in-person and mobile ethnography studies that capture authentic consumer behavior across the region.
Why Steve stands out:
🗣️ Hands-On Research: Conducts face-to-face qualitative and quantitative studies throughout Southern California.
🚀 Innovative Methodology: Pioneered “recruit anywhere” approaches before remote research trends.
📊 Local Expertise: Deep knowledge of California’s regulatory and demographic nuances.
Steve’s leadership ensures insights are precise, local, and strategically actionable.
Dan Braker
Breakthrough Research | LinkedIn
Dan Braker leads Breakthrough Research, a boutique consultancy focused on brand positioning, messaging, and cultural alignment. With deep roots in LA’s entertainment economy, he helps companies resonate authentically with their audiences.
Why Dan stands out:
🎬 Entertainment Expertise: Leads brand tracking programs for streaming platforms and media companies.
🗺️ Audience-Centric: Maps consumer journeys and segments audiences for actionable insights.
🌱 Inclusive Design: Advocates for Gen Z–forward and culturally conscious research practices.
Dan’s work ensures brands connect with audiences in meaningful, authentic ways.
Jenny Karubian
Ready to Launch Research | LinkedIn
Jenny Karubian runs Ready to Launch Research, an agile research firm specializing in rapid-cycle studies, political polling, and community-driven research. Her background in politics and policy gives her insights social impact depth.
Why Jenny stands out:
⚡ Rapid Insights: Delivers actionable research in under 10 days.
🌎 Civic Engagement: Focuses on mission-driven organizations and community-focused initiatives.
🗣️ Multilingual Teams: Operates across all of LA County with culturally aware field teams.
Jenny’s approach blends speed, rigor, and social impact in research that matters.
Leila Belmahi
Leila Belmahi leads Mariner’s Bow, a consultancy specializing in customer insight, growth strategy, and scenario planning. Her academic and product strategy background ensures research is rigorous and actionable.
Why Leila stands out:
📊 Framework-Driven: Uses structured processes to guide tech and healthcare startups.
🖥️ Product Insights: Advises on user research for multi-platform design.
🗺️ Innovative Workshops: Blends qualitative research with systems mapping to guide strategy.
Leila’s work transforms insights into practical strategies that fuel growth and innovation.
Gabor Buday
Gabor Buday provides precise analytics and data storytelling for B2B clients. Based in LA, he offers custom dashboards, segmentation studies, and competitive market modeling to support strategic decision-making.
Why Gabor stands out:
📊 Data Integration: Builds models that combine complex data streams for actionable insights.
🎨 Visual Storytelling: Turns research findings into compelling strategy documents.
🧩 Methodological Versatility: Consults on survey design and data architecture simultaneously.
Gabor’s expertise ensures research is clear, actionable, and visually impactful.
Julia Ko
Julia Ko helps startups and creative leaders transform insights into action. With experience in brand strategy and operations, she guides companies in building scalable systems and data-informed marketing plans.
Why Julia stands out:
📈 Strategic Planning: Designs marketing and business strategies grounded in customer insight.
⚙️ Operational Expertise: Implements marketing infrastructure for growing organizations.
🎨 Cross-Functional Leadership: Combines performance marketing, creative development, and operational planning.
Julia’s work empowers companies to translate insight into measurable growth.
Hai Le
Hai Le provides research expertise across CPG, telecom, and retail sectors. His hybrid qual-quant approach and strong moderation skills deliver dynamic, client-ready insights that drive decisions.
Why Hai stands out:
🧪 Methodological Depth: Skilled in both qualitative and quantitative research.
🌍 Industry Breadth: Supports campaigns and product development across multiple sectors.
🎨 Engaging Deliverables: Creates visually dynamic reports that influence strategy.
Hai’s combination of analytical rigor and presentation skill ensures insights lead to action.
Wrapping It Up
Los Angeles is more than just Hollywood; it’s a complex, diverse, and dynamic metro where market research consultants shape cultural understanding, drive brand decisions, and bring audiences into the room.
This list is our curated snapshot of who’s moving the needle in 2026 in the LA metropolitan area, from fieldwork legends to strategy-first freelancers. At Digital Reference, our goal is to emphasize consultants and specialists driving innovation and strategy across the country. Through our carefully curated lists, we aim to help teams find their next market research partner and team member. Curious how to choose the right one? Read our guide on marketing professionals and their unique industry role.
Whether you’re in Long Beach or Los Angeles, Digital Reference is your go-to source for vetted, research-forward operators who help great companies grow.
Let’s build smarter together.
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